Industry Measures Fallout If Epa Labels Coal Ash Hazardous Waste

The Environmental Protection Agency has extended the public comment period for its proposed rule, Identification and Listing of Special Wastes; Disposal

CP STAFF

The Environmental Protection Agency has extended the public comment period for its proposed rule, Identification and Listing of Special Wastes; Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) from Electric Utilities through November 19. One option Û the listing of impounded or landfill-bound CCR under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Subtitle C, hence a hazardous waste Û has drawn significant push back from concrete and fly ash management/marketing interests. They contend such a designation would stigmatize ASTM C618-grade product and greatly hamper its commercial viability as supplementary cementing material. The EPA’s other proposed option would see CCR listed under RCRA Subtitle D, whereby states would assume responsibility for tighter ash storage and management guidelines.

Speakers at a mid-August Concrete Products webinar, Coal Ash as a Hazardous Waste? The Concrete Industry Responds to EPA Proposals, discussed events leading to the proposed rule, political motivations behind it and response thus far from ready mixed and precast producers who have gauged agency, architect, engineer and contractor response to fly ash in the event the EPA exercises the Subtitle C option for CCR. The complete webinar can accessed at www.concreteproducts.com/coal. Highlights from presentations underscore concrete interests’ concerns and the urgency of producer and other stakeholder response during the public comment period (note page 6 box).